Tag: john ridgeway

Saints improve the NFL’s worst defense in this 2025 mock draft

The Saints improved the NFL’s worst defense in this 2025 mock draft. Michigan’s big defensive tackle Kenneth Grant may be just who they need next to Bryan Bresee:

No NFL team has given up more yards this season than the New Orleans Saints (2,375), and while much of that has been due to a surprisingly porous pass defense (1,573 yards allowed, third-most), plenty of blame should go to a run defense that’s been a weakness throughout the Dennis Allen era. The Saints are allowing 5.2 yards per carry, second-worst around the league.

So how do they fix it? This 2025 mock draft has a suggestion. Draft Wire’s Curt Popejoy has the Saints picking Michigan’s big defensive tackle Kenneth Grant at No. 9 overall. He may be just who they need next to Bryan Bresee.

Grant arrived on campus at an imposing 350 pounds and slimmed down to a more-manageable 339, and he’s one of the best all-around athletes in college football. Michigan has sent plenty of defensive linemen to the NFL but the 20-year-old has broken many of their weight room records while impressing the Wolverines’ strength and conditioning staff.

Whether or not it’s Allen conducting the Saints defense again in 2025, the interior line will need more attention. It’s mostly been a one-man show from Bresee outside of occasional stops by Nathan Shepherd, and Khalen Saunders’ impressive interception return (which really isn’t something we should expect from a nose tackle). Rookie draft pick Khristian Boyd has been benched in favor of John Ridgeway III, who the Saints traded for just before the season started.

Someone like Grant could absolutely be in play for next year’s draft. Beyond stopping the run, it’s impressive that he can get after the quarterback (5.5 career sacks) and disrupt passing lanes (9 balls batted down at the line of scrimmage) from a spot that those kind of numbers are hard to come by. But this team has a lot of problems to solve, and it’s too soon to say whether this is the direction they’ll move first.

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Commanders trade DT John Ridgeway to the Saints

The Commanders add another draft pick for 2025.

One day after the Washington Commanders finalized their initial 53-man roster, general manager Adam Peters traded one of the players who made the roster.

Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reported the Commanders were interested in trading third-year defensive tackle John Ridgeway. Several teams reportedly expressed interest in Ridgeway, but Washington didn’t strike a deal. On Wednesday afternoon, the Commanders found a trade partner for Ridgeway, sending him to the New Orleans Saints.

Ridgeway had a strong preseason, but with Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne in front of him, along with the presence of fellow third-year DT Phidarian Mathis and rookie Johnny Newton, the Commanders had a surplus at the position.

In return, the Saints send a 2025 sixth-round pick to Washington for Ridgeway and a 2025 seventh-round selection. The Commanders had multiple seventh-round picks in 2025 due to last week’s Jahan Dotson trade.

Ridgeway, the Cowboys’ fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, was waived early in the 2022 season, and the Commanders claimed him. In two seasons with Washington, Ridgeway appeared in 32 games with six starts, recording 55 tackles.

Commanders PFF grades: Best performers in preseason finale vs. Patriots

Which players earned the highest grades in the preseason finale?

The Washington Commanders defeated the New England Patriots 20-10 on Sunday in the preseason finale. Washington rested 34 players, virtually all of its starters and top backups against the Patriots.

It was the last chance for those on the field to impress Washington in hopes of making the 53-man roster. All 32 NFL teams must have their rosters at 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

The Commanders struggled offensively in the first half against New England, but recently signed quarterback Trace McSorley led them to 20 second-half points, including two fourth-quarter touchdown drives. The moment was a dream come true for McSorley, an Ashburn native and a fan of Washington growing up.

McSorley completed 12 of 21 passes for 125 yards with a touchdown pass. McSorley also rushed for 40 yards. With his performance, it was no surprise that Pro Football Focus gave McSorley a solid grade for his performance.

Which other Commanders had passing grades from PFF? Here are Washington’s five-highest-graded players from Sunday’s win over the Patriots:

  • DT John Ridgeway: 87.0
  • DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste: 72.6  
  • S Sheldrick Redwine: 72.2
  • CB Tariq Castro-Fields: 70.4  
  • QB Trace McSorley: 69.8

Ridgeway was all over the place in Sunday’s game. He played 18 snaps, but they were impactful, registering three tackles, including two for loss and one pass defended.

It was Redwine’s first game with the Commanders after signing last week.

Which players could the Commanders trade?

What other players could the Commanders trade?

Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters has proven he’s not afraid to make a deal. His first trade in March was trading 2023 starting quarterback Sam Howell to Seattle for draft picks. In the 2024 NFL draft, Peters traded back in the second round, adding another second-round pick.

Last week, Peters struck again. First, he traded a conditional draft pick to the Cleveland Browns for kicker Cade York. York shined in his debut for Washington, making both field goals and PATs in the final preseason game. However, Peters made headlines later last Thursday by sending 2022 first-round pick Jahan Dotson within the division to the Philadelphia Eagles.

There were already questions about which receiver would step up opposite Terry McLaurin, and those questions remain. Help could be on the way, though. The Commanders are No. 2 in the waiver priority order due to their poor record last season. That means only the Carolina Panthers are ahead of them if talented players at positions of need hit the waiver wire.

While Peters will likely be active on the waiver wire, don’t be surprised if he doesn’t make more trades. According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, the Commanders let other teams know about their surplus at specific positions, and this was before the Dotson trade.

That begs the question: Which other players could the Commanders trade on cutdown day (Tuesday) or later in the week?

We look at four players Washington could move.

DT John Ridgeway

Ridgeway is a third-year defensive tackle drafted by head coach Dan Quinn in Dallas. When the Cowboys waived him two years ago, they hoped to sneak him onto the practice squad, but Washington wisely claimed him. Ridgeway has provided good depth for the Commanders and had a strong preseason. Washington isn’t trading Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, or rookie Johnny Newton, meaning Ridgeway could be an attractive option for other teams. He has two years remaining on his rookie deal, and it’s cheap.

DT Phidarian Mathis

See above. Mathis is entering his third season and has two years remaining on his rookie deal. Unlike Ridgeway, Mathis was a much higher pick, going No. 47 overall in 2022. Mathis hasn’t contributed much in his first two seasons, but he showed up motivated to join the new regime. Quinn has praised him more than once. Mathis finished the preseason on a strong note. Washington would probably keep both if it didn’t have so many good options. Mathis and Ridgeway are similar, but Ridgeway offers a little more versatility.

LB/DE Jamin Davis

This doesn’t seem very likely but never say never. The Commanders moved the 2021 first-round pick to edge rusher this offseason, and he has worked at the position extensively throughout training camp and the preseason. Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. have praised his work ethic and determination to tackle a new position. Washington likes Davis’ progress and believes he could help as a rotational pass rusher at some point. But if someone offered a draft pick, would Peters take it and move on?

S Darrick Forrest

This one is unfortunate. Forrest looked like a building block two years ago, starting at safety for most of the season. However, he’s battled injuries in his career, and under this new regime, Forrest has been working behind others. Another injury in camp didn’t help his cause. Forrest can play. It appears he’s caught up in a numbers game, and if no one makes an offer for him, Forrest could be released on Tuesday. He will catch on somewhere, as he can help a team defensively and on special teams.

Commanders rookie Johnny Newton wants to learn from Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne

Johnny Newton looks forward to learning from Daron Payne and Jon Allen.

Things haven’t gone smoothly for Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton since he was selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft over three weeks ago.

Newton, who had surgery on his foot to repair a Jones Fracture he suffered during his final college season at Illinois, learned the injury was healing on schedule, but he had a similar condition in the other foot.

So, at last week’s rookie minicamp, Newton was in a walking boot, and head coach Dan Quinn revealed that he needed another surgery. Of course, that sent Washington fans into a panic. Did this new regime fall into the same trap as other previous regimes?

Many had projected Newton as a first-round pick, but he slid to the Commanders at No. 36. Was this because teams knew Newton needed surgery on both feet?

Regardless of when the Commanders found out Newton needed another surgery, they believed they had a steal. Newton underwent successful surgery last week, and Washington is optimistic he’ll be ready for Week 1.

The good news is that the Commanders don’t need Newton for Week 1. Washington has arguably the best pair of defensive tackles in the NFL, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.

Going into a situation with two established stars in front of you could be disappointing for most rookies, but Newton sees it as an opportunity.

“You’re talking about guys I used to watch when they was in college, so transitioning to the NFL, of course, I still watched them,” Newton said, per Zach Selby of commanders.com.

“Playing next to those guys, outstanding, an amazing feeling. [They’re] Older guys who have had success [in] college and in the NFL. So, I’m really happy.”

The Commanders have some depth at defensive tackle with Allen, Payne, Newton and third-year players John Ridgeway and Phidarian Mathis. Mathis, a 2022 second-round pick, could be fighting for his future in Washington this summer.

Commanders open 21-day practice window for DT Phidarian Mathis

Mathis has missed 23 out of a possible 24 games early in his NFL career.

The Washington Commanders could soon be adding more defensive tackle depth behind Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and John Ridgeway.

Washington opened its 21-day practice window for second-year defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis on Wednesday, meaning the Commanders have that time to either activate him or place him on season-ending injured reserve.

The 2022 second-round pick played three snaps in the season opener last year before injuring his knee and was lost for the season. Just before the season began this year, Mathis, along with fellow defensive lineman Efe Obada, was placed on short-term IR. Obada returned two weeks ago but hasn’t played a ton.

Washington has used veteran Abdullah Anderson as the third defensive tackle this season behind Allen, Payne and Ridgeway. Ridgeway, a second-year player like Mathis, has impressed.

Mathis has already missed 23 out of a possible 24 games in his young career. He practiced fully on Wednesday, so, much like Obada two weeks ago, Mathis is trending toward being active for Week 8 vs. the Eagles.

Commanders defensive tackle John Ridgeway unable to participate in OTAs

Ridgeway is still rehabbing from an injury in Week 18.

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The Washington Commanders were preparing for life after defensive tackle Daron Payne in the 2022 NFL draft when they selected Phidarian Mathis in the second round.

Unfortunately, Mathis injured his knee in Week 1 last season, leading the Commanders to scour the waiver wire searching for a replacement. Fortunately, Washington claimed John Ridgeway off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys ahead of Week 2. Ridgeway would replace Mathis behind Jonathan Allen and Payne, becoming a key rotational piece for the foreseeable future.

Even better, Ridgeway was a fifth-round pick of Dallas in 2022, meaning Washington claimed his rookie contract. Now, with Allen and Payne signed for multiple years, the Commanders have an excellent pair of young interior defenders in Mathis and Ridgeway.

With the Commanders opening OTAs earlier this week, both players were still not back on the field. Mathis is back — and healthy. But Ridgeway was unable to participate due to a pectoral injury he suffered in the Week 18 win over Dallas.

Ridgeway is still rehabbing from his injury, and the hope is he’ll be ready for training camp in July.

Ridgeway quietly did an outstanding job last season and is best remembered for two plays. The penalty at the end of the game against the Minnesota Vikings on special teams and his suplex against the Houston Texans.

Those plays overshadowed a good first season in the burgundy and gold for Ridgeway. Before the injury against the Cowboys, Ridgeway was dominating Dallas’ offensive line.

Commanders defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis fully healthy as OTAs begin

Second-year defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis is healthy, giving the Commanders impressive depth on the defensive interior.

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Remember when the Washington Commanders drafted former Alabama defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft to eventually replace Daron Payne after he left as a free agent in 2023?

That’s how things were supposed to go, right?

Unfortunately for Mathis, he injured his knee in Week 1 of the 2022 season and was lost for the season. His rookie season ended after just three defensive snaps and one snap on special teams. Washington, scrambling for depth, claimed defensive tackle John Ridgeway off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 19.

So, the day after Washington’s Week 2 loss at Detroit, they had found a replacement for Mathis in the rotation. The Cowboys tried to sneak Ridgeway to the practice squad, waiving him ahead of Week 2, but the Commanders wisely paid attention and claimed Ridgeway. He would become an integral part of Washington’s tackle rotation.

But it was Payne who was the story in 2022. The former 2018 first-round pick was playing on his fifth-year option and had the best season of his career. Payne set career-highs in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks, and tied Dave Butz’s record for single-season sacks by an interior defensive lineman with 11.5.

Payne made the Pro Bowl, along with fellow defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, and earned a four-year, $90 million contract from the Commanders in March.

Washington previously locked up Allen with a four-year contract in the summer of 2021.

The Commanders began OTAs Tuesday, and Mathis was back on the field, healthy, alongside Allen, Payne and Ridgeway. Zach Selby of commanders.com noted Mathis didn’t appear restricted at all.

Phidarian Mathis, who missed basically all of his rookie season with an injury, was back on the field and working with the second defensive group behind Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen. Per NFL rules, there was little contact between groups, but Mathis did not look bothered by his knee as he bull rushed offensive linemen on his way to the quarterback. The Commanders were excited about what Mathis could add to the front before he got hurt against the Jacksonville Jaguars, so having him back in the fold is an encouraging sign.

While Washington could have a crisis on its hands at defensive end in 2024 with its top five players on the depth chart slated for free agency, there are no such worries at defensive tackle. The Commanders’ depth on the interior is among the best — if not the best — in the NFL.

It’s certainly good to see Mathis back in the fold for Washington.

Commanders DT Phidarian Mathis making ‘great progress’ in return from knee injury

The Commanders have two talented young defensive tackles behind Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne in Phidarian Mathis and John Ridgeway.

The Washington Commanders selected Alabama defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft. Most believed Mathis was an eventual replacement for Daron Payne, who was scheduled to be a free agent in the 2023 offseason.

It didn’t help that there was the report around draft time that said the Commanders weren’t expected to offer Payne a long-term extension.

Do you think they regret that decision now?

Payne, only 25, is coming off a breakout season in which he tied the franchise record of 11.5 sacks by a defensive tackle and also finished No. 4 in the NFL in tackles for loss [18].

Meanwhile, Mathis injured his knee in the season opener against Jacksonville and was lost for the season. This was particularly troubling as the Commanders allowed Tim Settle to leave via free agency and cut Matt Ioannidis in a salary-cap move.

Fortunately for Washington, the Dallas Cowboys waived fifth-round pick John Ridgeway and the Commanders signed him to their active roster. The Cowboys were hoping to sneak him to the practice squad.

Ridgeway would prove to be a smart addition for Washington, spelling Payne and Jonathan Allen in 2022. The good news is that he and Mathis are under contract for the next three seasons on rookie deals.

What about Mathis’ injury?

It sure sounds like the 6-foot-4, 313-pounder is on the right track.

“I’ve been here the whole time,” Mathis said, per Zach Selby of commanders.com. “I trust the trainers in there. We’ve been making great progress.”

In spending the season rehabbing in Ashburn, Mathis said Washington’s training staff has been outstanding, helping him recover faster than he initially believed.

Mathis struggled after the injury, knowing he’d miss his entire rookie season after only a handful of plays. 

“It was very hard to take, a tough pill to swallow, for sure,” Mathis said. “The first couple of weeks, I was down, I was out, but I just put it in God’s hands and let him handle the rest.”

Depending on what happens with Payne, Mathis could be counted upon heavily in 2023. It’s something he’s ready for. 

“I’m gonna give it another try next year,” Mathis said. “I’m gonna come back even harder.”

Having Mathis and Ridgeway is good news for Washington — with or without Payne. Of course, Washington hopes Payne is back, but if he isn’t, the Commanders have two young defensive tackles ready for the opportunity.

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Commanders defensive tackle John Ridgeway tore a pec in win over Cowboys

The promising rookie defensive tackle will have several months of rehab ahead of him.

The Washington Commanders hoped to head into the offseason after Sunday’s win over the Dallas Cowboys with no major injuries. The Commanders placed several players on injured reserve or sat others dealing with an injury ahead of Sunday, giving multiple young players some extended playing time.

One of those young players was rookie defensive tackle John Ridgeway. The 6-foot-5, 322-pound rookie from Arkansas was a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft by the Cowboys, who later released him, hoping to sneak him to the practice squad, but the Commander wisely claimed him and his rookie contract.

Ridgeway would prove to be a shrewd acquisition, appearing in 15 games for the Commanders, making four starts. He replaced Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen in the lineup Sunday and was off to a dominant start.

In 13 snaps, Ridgeway made five tackles. He was manhandling Dallas’ interior offensive line. Unfortunately, Ridgeway wasn’t able to finish the game, leaving in the second quarter.

On Monday, John Keim of ESPN revealed the bad news. Ridgeway suffered a torn pectoral muscle and now faces several months of rehabilitation.

The good news is Ridgeway should be ready for training camp in July.

To give you an indication of how dominant Ridgeway was on Sunday, watch No. 91 in these clips.

The Commanders found a gem in Ridgeway.

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